I know it’s been a while since I blogged, but there has been a reason for that. It has been a crazy couple of months.

It all started with a tweet.

My awesome wife, Wendy, saw a tweet from Ford Canada – they were looking for a Community Manager. She quickly messaged me and suggested that since I had been helping clients with their community management, I should apply. She figured, what have you got to lose? I agreed.

I threw my name in the hat.

I remember the timing… It was Thursday, April 12th. I was at Tweetstock in Brantford, and was just leaving for the after party. I noticed I had a message. The message was from Ammar Khan of Ford. I stopped for minute and just looked at my phone. Really?

I called Ammar. He filled me in that it was ICUC Moderation who would be doing the hiring, and that they would be in contact with me. Seriously?

The next day, I get a phone call from ICUC. It was an interview. They gave me an overview of what the job entailed, and I gave them a basic introduction to me, what I do, clients I have worked with, etc… but they had done their homework. I could tell. The conversation went well, and they said they would be in touch. I didn’t think anything of it. I enjoyed the weekend with my family.

Monday comes. The phone rings.

It was ICUC. They wanted me to attend a meeting at Ford Canadian Headquarters in Oakville, where I would meet Ammar, and the ICUC team I would be working with… if I got hired. Was this really happening?

The planets start to align.

On Tuesday, April 17th, I was scheduled to be at my youngest daughter’s school dance-a-thon taking pictures at the exact time this meeting was to occur. Wendy said, “I’ll take the afternoon off work and I’ll take the pictures at school. Good luck baby.”

The meeting.

Everything went really well. I met Ammar, the ICUC team, and some of the partners I would be working with, if I got the job… only, they were talking like I already had the job.

Reading between the lines.

After the meeting, I rushed home and called a designer buddy of mine. I asked him if he would like to take on some of my clients. He asked why. I couldn’t say yet, so I just said “An opportunity has presented itself”. He understood, and agreed to help out.

Wendy arrived home from work.

She walked into my office and asked how it went. Before I could answer, the phone rang. It was ICUC. They presented me with an offer.

I did my research too.

Before I go on any further, I need everyone reading this to know something. I told myself after being treated so crappy at my last “job”, I would never go back to working for a company that was not passionate about their employees, their service or product, and you could see it in everything they did. I was completely happy running a successful small business, and was not really looking to find a job. I did my research. I knew several people who worked at Ford, some of them are friends, and some I have met through social media, and have been to many events with them. You could tell they loved what they were doing. In meeting with the folks from ICUC, I could tell they loved what they did, and were excited to be working with Ford, and to have me on board.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

April 18th, I officially signed on with ICUC Moderation. I was the new Senior Community Management Consultant to Ford Canada. I would have 3 other community managers working for me, as well as a support staff. The kicker… I would be starting right away.

The announcement.

Ford Canada had yet to announce I was on board. They were waiting until I was ready. On Wednesday, April 25th, we were sitting in a meeting in Toronto, and the announcement was made. I had created a Ford twitter account, which up until that point, remained inactive. It was near the end of the day, and Ammar pointed it out to me, and quickly retweeted it. I packed up my stuff, and walked down to my truck. I never thought once to look at my phone, which was still on silent, and in my laptop case. I got into my truck, put my phone in it’s normal resting place (the cupholder) and took it off silent, then hit the road – 3 o’clock Toronto traffic.

Notification Overload.

My phone was going crazy. As I was driving, I left the phone alone, but I knew what was going on. I cranked up the stereo and sang all the way home.

Have you been watching Twitter?

I arrived home and Wendy gave me a big hug. She said “you have a ton of messages to respond to”. I sat down at my desk, and started going through them all. I answered each and every one of them. Everyone was so awesome. The messages kept pouring in for the next few days. Wendy posted it on Facebook. My timeline exploded. Her timeline exploded. Our analytics guys said to me at our next meeting “wow, you got a lot of attention over the last few days”.

Who’s Yer Daddy.

When Wendy and I finally told the girls that I was working with Ford Canada, they were so happy for me. I was in tears. Not the same kind of tears when we sat them down to tell them I lost my job a year-and-a-half earlier. These were happy tears. Having the support of my family and friends was amazing, but seeing Wendy and my girls so happy for me was all that I needed at that moment.

What does this mean for Big Daddy Kreativ?

This is where the emotional part of me comes out. I had to make a lot of phone calls to existing clients explaining the situation, and that I have found someone who would be handling all design work. I would not be taking on any new clients.

Saying goodbye.

Driving a Ford was not a requirement for this position. There was no pressure from ICUC or Ford. However, I had made the decision when I got the job that it would be cool if I could update my vehicle with something in the Ford lineup similar to my current vehicle, a 2005 GMC Yukon XL, which I have owned for the past 3 years.

The ball is in motion.

I will go into further detail about my new vehicle in a future post, but for now, I wanted to leave you all with this.

Craig is a husband, a father, team leader and manager, online community manager, senior youth group coordinator, designer, brander, social media engager, community builder, volunteer and blogger. He likes to go camping, travel, go on road trips, read to his girls, operate the grill, and play bass guitar. Known as Big Daddy Kreativ, his blog specializes in parenting, lifestyle, automotive, events, travel, health and reviews.

I’m so happy for you! When you eventually get some free time we’ll have some celebratory pints on a patio…..and I want to finally meet your wonderful wife Wendy! Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy! Cheers!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

Definitely Tanya! We’ll get out soon enough!

Carmela

CONGRATULATIONS!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks Carmela! Much appreciated!

Colleen

yaay, Craig, congratulations! i didn’t know this news! really happy for you. btw, i still have never tweeted. in the dark ages over here. hope we can get the kids and us parents together soon, would love to hear all about the new job! so happy for you.

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

Thanks Colleen… and yes… let’s plan something for the summer.

trina1972

Fabulous, fabulous story of perseverance and family support. You’ve got a fantastic wife there my friend! Craig, I feel that we’ve become friends over the past year and I’m so proud of the person you are! You are dedicated, hard working, and just an overall nice guy. This couldn’t have happened to a better person. Raise my glass (a rye) to you and Wendy!!

Steve Kubien

Bloody brilliant!!!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thank you sir!

http://www.absolutionmediation.ca Jason Dykstra

So happy for you Craig! Well deserved! Ford is EXTREMELY lucky to have you!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks so much Jason!

http://twitter.com/Spike_Mobile Greg Lehman

Congratulations! What a great story. Best of luck in your new position, I know you’ll be awesome!!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks Greg! Much appreciated!

Kathy Buckworth

Love it. They hired the perfect guy for the job. Anything BUT a “Random Task” :) Congrats and looking forward to seeing all the great stuff you do with Ford.

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks Kathy! I’m sure I’ll still be able to do the Odd Job here and there.

http://www.facebook.com/caitlin.madden Caitlin Madden

Congratulations! You’re going to rock it!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks Cait! In the process of building the band as we speak!

http://bargainista.ca/ Eden Spodek

Congratulations, Craig! Obviously you have many talents but the characteristic that’s most important as a community manager is passion and yours comes across loud and clear. Good luck in your new role and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks so much for your kind words Eden. I really do appreciate it. Cheers!

karengreeners

Congratulations! All the very best in your new endeavour.

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks Karen!

Mberg

It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! why I might just buy a Ford myself.

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

cheers Marcy… that would be awesome! If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

http://casiestewart.com casiestewart

CONGRATS! I totally love the @Ford team and their take on #socialmedia. You’ve scored a great one. Look forward to working with you!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

thanks Casie! I look forward to working with you too!

Graham

Great story Craig! Congratulations on the new gig. The Ford people that I’ve met have all been awesome!

http://twitter.com/Craig_Silva Craig Silva

cheers Graham… it’s what attracted me to the brand.

http://twitter.com/sassygirlcanada SandyT

Congratulations Craig! I am so happy and excited for you. This is a well-deserved opportunity for you…and Ford is very lucky to have you. :)

It’s all in timing! Things happen for a reason – a year and a half ago, things might not have looked great, but look where you are today! I’m so, SO happy for you and your family! Congratulations! My fil and worked for FORD – they do treat their employees well!

Ammar

Awesome post! We are glad to have you working with Ford Canada both as a great partner and friend.

http://www.bigdaddykreativ.ca/blog Craig Silva

Cheers Ammar. Thank you for your trust, patience, guidance and leadership these past 3 years. It’s been an awesome ride… but it’s only just begun!